Six Flags Fiesta Texas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Location | San Antonio, Texas |
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| Website | Six Flags Fiesta Texas |
| Owner | Six Flags |
| Opened | 1992 |
| Previous names | Fiesta Texas |
| Operating season | March to October |
| Area | 200 acres |
| Rides | 41 total
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Six Flags Fiesta Texas is a 200-acre theme park located in northwest San Antonio, Texas in an old quarry near the intersection of Loop 1604 and Interstate 10. It is the 39th largest theme park in North America.
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[edit] History
[edit] Development and construction
When the initial ownership group, not part of Six Flags, began investigating a possible major theme park development in San Antonio, Texas, they faced significant competition in the Texas market. There were similar established Six Flags parks in Dallas and Houston as well as the nearby SeaWorld of Texas, which opened in 1988. Based on the competition, the development team believed the opportunity in San Antonio (an established regional leisure destination) was there and that the stable, slow growth direction of the theme park industry in the U.S. was in their favor.
The development team consisted of property owner USAA Real Estate Company, a subsidiary of the major insurance company, and Gaylord Entertainment, which owned the now closed Opryland USA theme park in Nashville, Tennessee. The original concept for Fiesta Texas was defined as "a destination market, musical show park" similar to that of Opryland USA. The primary focus on southwest music and culture rather than rides would be the unique element that would set the park apart from its competition.
Actual construction of the theme park took approximately 23 months, running from early 1990 to the park's opening in March 1992. Construction of the theme park was overseen by a joint venture of two general contractors, Lyda Inc. of San Antonio and Manhattan Construction Company of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Gaylord Entertainment managed and was a minority owner of the Fiesta Texas theme park. USAA Real Estate Company was the majority owner. Although attendance at the park met initial projections, Fiesta Texas was a money loser. After losing $16 million on the theme park in 1995, Gaylord sold its 14-percent stake back to USAA.
[edit] Change in ownership
In 1996, Time Warner took over ownership and operations of Fiesta Texas. Premier Parks, now known as Six Flags, purchased Fiesta Texas from Time Warner in 1998. Recent enhancements to Fiesta Texas include an expanded waterpark and boardwalk. On most nights the park closes with an animated laser show projected on the limestone quarry walls and fireworks.
[edit] Rides & attractions
This theme park goes beyond thrill rides—it includes a water park, named White Water Bay (renovated for the 2006 season), and music shows. Most nights conclude with a fireworks and laser show.
The themed areas of the park are Los Festivales, Crackaxle Canyon, Spassburg, Rockville, and Fiesta Bay Boardwalk.
[edit] Roller coasters
| Ride | Year Opened | Removed In | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Rattler | 1992 | A John Pierce (designer) and RCCA (builder) wooden roller coaster. Ride opens with worlds largest drop on a wooden roller coaster, reprofiled several times in the following years to decrease the drop. Located in Crackaxle Canyon. | |
| Der Rollschuhcoaster | 1992 | Vekoma Junior Coaster/Roller Skater - kiddie roller coaster. Located in Spassburg. | |
| Joker's Revenge | 1996 | 2002 | Vekoma Hurricane roller coaster with backwards facing trains. Ride was closed for the 2002 season, moved to Six Flags New Orleans for the 2003 season. Located in Fiesta Bay Boardwalk. |
| Road Runner Express | 1997 | Arrow Dynamics Mine Train (last one built). Located in Crackaxle Canyon. | |
| Boomerang | 1999 | A Vekoma Boomerang. Located in Los Festivales. | |
| Poltergeist | 1999 | Premier Rides LIM roller coaster (spaghetti bowl design). Located in Rockville. | |
| Superman: Krypton Coaster | 2000 | B & M Floorless roller coaster. Located in Spassburg. | |
| Tony Hawk's Big Spin | 2007 | Gerstlauer Spinning Coaster. Located in Fiesta Bay Boardwalk (where Joker's Revenge was located). |
[edit] Current rides and attractions
- Train with stops in Crackaxle Canyon (Whistle Stop) and in Spassburg (Der Pilger Bahnhof) - opened in 1992
- The Gully Washer (Hopkins Rapids water ride) - opened in 1992; located in Crackaxle Canyon
- Die Fledermaus (Zierer Wave Swinger) - opened in 1992; located in Spassburg
- Dornroschen (Morgan Carousel) - opened in 1992; located in Spassburg
- Steingasse (Morgan Bumper Cars) - opened in 1992; located in Spassburg
- Der Fliegenzirkus (kiddie bi-plane ride) - opened in 1992; located in Spassburg
- Kinderbahn (kiddie convoy ride) - opened in 1992; located in Spassburg
- Kinderwagen (kiddie bumper cars) - opened in 1992; located in Spassburg
- Motorama / Motorama Turnpike (Morgan car ride) - opened in 1992; located in Rockville
- The Hustler (Morgan spinning ride) - opened in 1992; located in Rockville
- The Power Surge (Hopkins Shoot the Chute water ride) - opened in 1992; located in Rockville
- Crow’s Nest Ferris Wheel (Chance Ferris Wheel) - opened in 1994; located in Fiesta Bay Boardwalk
- S.S. Overboard (Zamperla Galleon) - opened in 1994; located in Fiesta Bay Boardwalk
- Waverunner (Eli Bridge Scrambler) - opened in 1994; located in Fiesta Bay Boardwalk
- Little Castaways (Ride Works kiddie tea cups) - opened in 1994; located in Fiesta Bay Boardwalk
- Wagon Wheel (Schwarzkopf Enterprise) - opened in 1996; moved from Six Flags Over Texas; located in Crackaxle Canyon
- Bugs’ White Water Rapids (Hopkins Super Flume water ride) - opened in 1998; located in Spassburg
- Der Twister (Huss Top Spin) - opened in 1998; located in Spassburg
- Frisbee (Huss Frisbee) - opened in 1998; located in Fiesta Bay Boardwalk, was in Los Festivales for 1998 season
- Lil’ Bronco Buster / Rodeo Rider (Zamperla Jumpin’ Star – kiddie drop ride) - opened in 1999; located in Crackaxle Canyon
- Yosemite Sam’s Wacky Wagons (Zamperla Mini Ferris Wheel – kiddie ride) - opened in 1999; located in Crackaxle Canyon
- Foghorn Leghorn’s Barnyard Railway (Zamperla Rio Grande – kiddie train ride) - opened in 1999; located in Crackaxle Canyon
- Kinderstein / Mini Tea Cup (Zamperla Mini Tea Cups – kiddie ride) - opened in 1999; located in Spassburg
- Scream! (3 S & S combo tower complex) - opened in 1999; located in Rockville
- Daffy’s School Bus Express (Zamperla Crazy Bus – kiddie ride) - opened in 1999; located in Rockville
- Taz’s Tornado (Zamperla Lolly Swing – kiddie swing ride) - opened in 1999; located in Rockville
- Go-Karts (extra charge) - opened in 1999; located in Fiesta Bay Boardwalk
- Scooby-Doo! Ghostblasters – The Mystery Of The Haunted Mansion (Sally Corp. interactive family dark ride) - opened in 2002; located in Fiesta Bay Boardwalk
[edit] Former rides and attractions
- Rennsporplatz (Mason Corporation kiddie roller racers/scooters) - opened in 1992, removed end of 1997; located in Spassburg
- Cap’n Willie’s Shrimpboat (kiddie soft play ship) – opened in 1994, removed end of 1998; located in Fiesta Bay Boardwalk
- The Wipeout (Chance Wipeout) – opened in 1994, ride closed in 2003, removed during 2006; located in Fiesta Bay Boardwalk
- Bayside Paddle Boats (extra charge) – opened in 1994, removed end of 1997
- Seaside Golf (extra charge mini golf) – opened in 1994, removed end of 1998
- Screamin’ Skycoaster (extra charge) – opened in 1994, removed in 2001
- Daffy’s Duckaneer (Sartori kiddie swinging ship) - opened in 1999, removed end of 2000; located in Crackaxle Canyon; moved to Six Flags St. Louis in 2006
- Chaos (Chance Chaos) - opened in 1999, removed end of 2005; located in Rockville
- Turbo Bungy (Eurobungy extra charge bungee/trampoline) - opened in 2001, removed end of 2005; located in Crackaxle Canyon
- Tempest (Gravity Works Skyscraper extra charge) - opened in 2002, removed end of 2006; located in Fiesta Bay Boardwalk
[edit] White Water Bay (free water park)
Formerly named Ol’ Waterin Hole and Armadillio Beach
- Texas Tumble (family raft ride) - opened in 1992
- White Water Canyon (lazy river) - opened in 1992
- The Six Chuter (open tube slide) - opened in 1992
- The Mine Shaft (enclosed tube slide) - opened in 1992
- Texas Treehouse (family activity area) - opened in 1999
- Lone Star Lagoon (Texas shaped wave pool) - opened in 1999
- Tornado (Proslide Technology Inc. Tornado “Rattler” – funnel shaped tube slide that uses four person cloverleaf or two person “whirl wheel” tubes) - opened in 2004
- Whirlpool (Proslide Technology Inc. “Cannonbowl”) - opened in 2006
- Big Bender (Proslide Technology Inc. “Pipeline”) - opened in 2006
- Hill Country Racer (Proslide Technology Inc. “ProRacer” – 6 lanes) – opened in 2006; moved from Six Flags Astroworld
- Splash Water Springs (new different kids area) - opened in 2006
- The Blow Out (body speed slide) - opened in 1992, closed in 2007
- The Twister (enclosed body slide) - opened in 1992, closed in 2007
Removed (former) waterpark attractions:
- The Gusher (two open raft slides – wet/dry slides) – opened in 1992, removed end of 1999
- Pipeline (two enclosed raft slides – wet/dry slides) – opened in 1992, removed end of 1999
- The Triple Dipper (two body slides with three humps) – opened in 1992, removed end of 2002
- Splash Water Springs (kiddie area) – opened in 1992, removed end of 2005
- Tadpole Pond (kiddie pool) – opened in 1996, removed end of 1998
- Sandy Bottoms (beach volleyball area) – opened in 1996, removed end of 1998
- Ol’ Swimmin’ Hole (family activity area) – opened in 1996, removed end of 2005
- Crackaxle Springs (“adult” activity area) – opened in 1996, removed end of 2005
 The ascent on Superman |
 Superman's track |
 Superman's initial drop |
 Superman twists |
 Superman loop |
 Frisbee |
 The Boomerang |
 The Rattler |
 The Rattler enters a cave |
[edit] Award-winning shows
In addition to Fiesta Texas’ roller coasters and water park, several shows are presented throughout the day. Six Flags Fiesta Texas' show bill has been awarded a Golden Ticket Award for “best theme park shows in the country” for the eighth consecutive year. In 2006, Xcelleration, a show featuring professionals from the sports of BMX Biking, skateboarding, bungee artists and acrobatics was opened at the Zaragoza Theater. Xcelleration was also awarded an industry accolade, the Big “E” for “Best Sports Show of 2005.” Fiesta Texas' Fright Fest show "Mayor Slayers Monster Mash Bash" was awarded best show with a production value of $25,000–$50,000 at the IAAPA Big "E" Awards.
[edit] Nearby attractions
Six Flags Fiesta Texas is the major entertainment component of USAA's La Cantera, a 1,600-acre (6.5 km²) master-planned development in northwest San Antonio. Six Flags Fiesta Texas is located in a former rock quarry in an area known as "La Cantera" — which means rock quarry in Spanish. The western area of the site is the resort zone, dominated by two championship golf courses, a Westin La Cantera resort hotel and other resort amenities. On the southern part of the site, there are a number of commercial and residential projects, including The Shops at La Cantera, a major regional shopping center and an entertainment complex that opened in September 2005. To the north of the site, the new North Rim mixed-use commercial development.
[edit] References
- ↑ Theme park development case study
- ↑ Nashville City Paper article
- ↑ Thomas Enterprises
- ↑ Fiesta Texas history
- ↑ Amusement Today's 2005 Golden Ticket awards (PDF) and Golden Ticket award
- ↑ Six Flags Fiesta Texas unofficial website
- ↑ Six Flags 2004 Annual Report (PDF) does not include revised stats since Hurricane Katrina closed Six Flags New Orleans; or the closing of Six Flags Astroworld in 2005.
[edit] External links
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- Satellite image from WikiMapia, Google Maps or Windows Live Local
- Street map from MapQuest or Google Maps
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image from TerraServer-USA
| Roller coasters at Six Flags Fiesta Texas |
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Boomerang – Poltergeist – Rattler – Road Runner Express – Rollschuhcoaster – Superman: Krypton Coaster |
